When Nvidia released the RTX 4070 Ti, it compared it directly to the RTX 3080. So according to Team Green, this is the fairest comparison. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the two GPUs, comparing the RTX 4070 Ti to the 3080. Spoiler alert: the 4070 Ti is stronger than the 3080.
We will outline the difference in specs, compare performances, and will give some insights into the price range. The difference between these two GPUs is pretty obvious right from the beginning, but it is nice to see how Nvidia has evolved and how it is pricing that technology jump.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 3080 specs comparison
The first thing that catches our attention is the clock frequency. Thanks to some nifty changes, Nvidia has managed to almost double the clock speed. The 4070 Ti has a boosted clock speed of 2610 MHz, while the 3080 only manages 1710 MHz. This feature will ensure a quieter and cooler unit.
| Details | RTX 4070 Ti | RTX 3080 (12GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | ADA Lovelace | Ampere |
| CUDA cores | 7680 | 8960 |
| VRAM | 12 GB GDDR6X | 12 GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Interface Width | 192 bit | 384 bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 504.2 GB/s | 760.3 GB/s |
| Process Technology | TSMC 4nm | Samsung 8 nm |
| Base clock speed | 2310 MHz | 1260 MHz |
| Boost Clock speed | 2610 MHz | 1710 MHz |
| Graphics Card Power (TDP) | 285 W | 350 W |
The 4070 Ti is also more power efficient. Due to the smaller chip, the GPU lowers the TDP to 65W when compared to the 350W of the RTX 3080; resulting in an amazing 285W TDP. We’re finally seeing Nvidia head towards a more power-efficient path. This could save the user some serious cash.
Furthermore, another aspect to pinpoint is the 4070 Ti’s memory management. According to the table above, the 3080 has a wider memory bus (384 vs 192), and a wider bandwidth (760.3 vs 504.2) However, the 4070 Ti delivers more TFLOPs, which means higher processing speed and efficiency.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 3080 price
Pricing is the most hectic aspect of this comparison. The RTX 4070 Ti was released with an MRSP of $799. That pricing seems pretty high when compared to previous x070 drops. The previous generation, GTX 970, had an MSRP of $329, while the GTX 1070 was released at $379. The introduction of ray tracing technology caused the price to jump significantly with the release of the RTX 2070, which had an MSRP of $499. This price point was maintained for the 3070, making the $799 MSRP for the 4070 Ti quite a notable jump.
On the other side the RTX 3080 carries an MSRP of $699; however, on average is a bit higher recently, although we’re pretty sure that should go down in the next few months. At this point, if the 4070 Ti keeps its MSRP, which we don’t think is going to happen it will be a better deal than the 3080 and even better than the 3090. You’ll end up with a stronger GPU with DLSS 3rd-gen for better pricing.
RTX 4070 Ti vs RTX 3080 Performance
According to benchmark tests conducted by Nvidia, the RTX 4070 Ti offers significantly improved performance compared to the RTX 3080. At 1440p resolution, the 4070 Ti performs 2 times better in Microsoft Flight Simulator, 1.7 times better in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, and 3.5 times better in Cyberpunk 2077. These results were obtained using Nvidia’s own testing methods.
The 4070 Ti has several standout features that set it apart from the 3080, particularly in the areas of Raytracing and DLSS. The third generation of these technologies represents a significant improvement over the second generation and is now more powerful than ever before. This enables the 4070 Ti, a mid-range GPU, to achieve impressive results in 4K gaming.
One of the most important aspects to factor in when comparing these two GPUs is the chip architecture. The chip used in the RTX 4070 Ti is smaller than the one used in the previous generation, allowing for more space for other features. The 4070 Ti utilizes a 4nm TSMC chip, while the 3080 uses an 8nm Samsung chip.
This smaller size allows for more efficient power transmission, enabling the 4070 Ti to achieve faster clock speeds and better performance while using only 285 W of power. By comparison, the 3080 requires 350 W to achieve its maximum performance.
Final thoughts
Nvidia has done an amazing job this time. Although we would’ve preferred a lower price, the RTX 4070 Ti is a strong, reliable, and versatile GPU. You’ll be able to use it for 1440p without any risk of overkilling or bottleneck. You will also be able to get on with some nice 4K gaming.
On the other hand, the RTX 3080 is also pretty versatile. It was one of the best high-end choices from the previous generation, and also allows you to play at 1440p and 4K. However, these two GPUs are not exactly evenly matched. The 4070 Ti has a more efficient architecture and can go up to 3.5x faster than the 3080 in 1440p gaming. All of that means, in theory, a better price.
